Analysis of gene expression in Kalanchoe daigremontiana leaves during plantlet formation under drought stress

Abstract

Background:Kalanchoe daigremontiana is an attractive model system for the study of the molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis competence due to its formation of plantlets with adventitious roots on the leaf margins that are derived from somatic embryos. The suppression subtractive hybridization technique was used to investigate gene expression during asexual reproduction. Leaves from plants subjected to drought stress provided the source of 'Tester' DNA, and leaves from plants grown under normal conditions provided the 'Driver' DNA for subtractive hybridization. Results: A total of 481 high quality ESTs were generated, which clustered into 390 unigenes. Of these unigenes, 132 grouped into 12 functional categories, suggesting that asexual reproduction is a complicated process involving a large number of genes. The expression characteristics of selected genes from the SSH library were determined by real-time PCR and were classified into five groups, suggesting that gene expression patterns during asexual reproduction are complex. Up-regulation of Sadenosylhomocysteine hydrolase suggested that a decrease in cytokinin levels promotes the initiation of plantlet formation. Many other genes, such as inorganic pyrophosphatase and glutamate decarboxylase, play important roles in gene regulation during asexual reproduction. Conclusion: Our results provide a framework and unified platform on which future research on asexual reproduction in K. daigremontiana can be based. This represents the first genome-wide study of asexual reproduction in K. daigremontiana.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Two Kalanchoë Species during Plantlet Formation

“…In terms of the functions of these genes, most of them are involved in regulating and sensing biotic and abiotic stress (Table S3). This observation is predictable as the rate of plantlet formation in K. daigremontiana is enhanced by drought stress [25]. Additionally, few plants developed a preference for asexual reproduction under certain stress conditions [3].…”

Epigenetic Clues to Better Understanding of the Asexual Embryogenesis in planta and in vitro

“…Suppression subtractive hybridization studies revealed that the overexpression of a large number (390) of unigenes in the asexual reproduction of K . daigremontiana (Zhong et al, 2013). Figure 1B highlights common cellular and molecular events in different stages of transition from somatic to embryogenic cell fate.…”

Actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria en extractos hidroalcohólicos de Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym. -Hamet & H. Perrier

“…Sin embargo, el efecto de sus extractos en las células cancerosas solo se probó en las células T de leucemia linfoblástica humana [3]. En China, K. daigremontiana se ha utilizado durante cientos de años tanto por vía oral como tópica para tratar afecciones como el vómito sanguíneo, quemaduras y cuadros gripales [15]. Tradicionalmente, las infusiones o decocciones de sus hojas son utilizadas como tratamiento alternativo para distintas dolencias como fiebre, hipertensión, relajante muscular, sedante, antihistamínico, entre otros [10].…”

“…Recientemente, K. daigremontiana se ha convertido en una fuente de nuevos compuestos para el tratamiento de tumores y enfermedades inflamatorias y alérgicas [15]. Se aislaron esteroides cardiotónicos bufadienólidos de K. daigremontiana, los cuales presentaron efectos inhibitorios sobre un tipo de virus (Epstein-Barr) que ataca los linfocitos B y se asocia con el desarrollo de muchas clases de neoplasia.…”